Golf game



Feb. 14, 1933 L w N 1,897,289

GOLF GAME Filed Jan. '7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l .NEN Lou/s IE DET A I Feb. 14, 1933. 1.. WIEDEN 1,897,239

GOLF GAME Filed Jan. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 14, 1933. L. WIEDEN 3 GOLF GAME Filed Jan. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-$heet 3 INVENTOR. 007.! MEDEA/ Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS WIEDEN, OF LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA GOLF GAME Application filed January 7, 1931. Serial No. 507,111.

This invention relates to a device for golf Fig. 3 is a side of the putting course in games, and particularly to miniature golf collapsed or folded position. courses. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a putting The primary object of the invention is to course with rotatably united putting courses 5 provide a miniature golf course or putting adjustable relatively to a foldable putting 55 course, which is constructed of complemensurface. tal sections adjustably related to each other. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of Another object of the invention is to prothe putting course shown in Fig. 4:, the secvide a miniature putting course wherein the tion being taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4c. approach or right of way and the putting Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective view of a 60 surface around the hole is variable at will to device with two contiguous rotatable sets of present continuous courses with various, difputting surfaces.

ferent obstructions or hazards, thus pro- Fig, 7 i a longitudinal ectional view of viding a multiple course in a single unit. the last'mentioned device, the section being I Particularly it is an object of the inventaken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. 65 tion to provide a miniature golf course con- Fig. 8 is a fragmental sectional detail of taining a plurality of links with various the rotatable set of putting surfaces, the sechazards in a unitary structure, so that the tion being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 course is readily adjusted from one link or Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the other rocourse to another with different hazards tatable set of putting surfaces, the section thereon, all the variable courses may lead being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7 to the same putting surface with a hole there- Fig. 10 is a rotary set of putting courses, in, or a plurality of putting surfaces with with each individually pivoted side presentvarious hazards around the holes may be ading a putting surface on both faces thereof. justably arranged so that each of the surfaces Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of may be adjusted to complement any one of the device shown in Fig. 10, the section being the first mentioned courses, thus ofliering a taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 10. great variety of courses for the game. Fig. 12 is a sectional detail of the catch Other objects and advantages are to profor the individual pivoted sides of the de- I 30 vide a device for golf games, particularly vice, the section being taken on the line 12- miniature golf courses, that will be superior 12 of Fig. 10. in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of Fig. 1.3 is a sectional view of the spring construction, positiveness of operation, and catch connection between the rotary frame facility and convenience in use and general of the device and the supporting standard,

5 efiiciency. the section being taken on the line 1313 In this specification and the annexed drawof Fig. 10. r ings, the invention is illustrated in the form In its general organization the invention considered to be the best, but it is to be underincludes a support on which are adjustably stood that the invention is not limited to such mounted a plurality of putting surface sec- 40 form, because it may be embodied in other tions, which in turn are selectively adjustable forms; and it is also to be understood that in to complement each other into a continuous and by the claims following the description, putting course, on which a golf ball may be it is desired to cover the invention in whatputted. soever form it may be embodied. In the embodiment of my invention shown 45 The invention is clearly illustrated in the in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a central member 6 is accompanying drawings, wherein supported on standards 7, and has a putting Fig. 1 is a plan view of a collapsible seosurface and hazards 8 thereon, said hazards tional putting course. may be constructed in any shape and form.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the collapsible put- For the purpose of illustration, I show the ting course. hazards 8 formed in the shape of'staggered two parallel boards or plates 16 connected to each other at the said pivot 14 and at the hole 11, which latter extends through both boards 16. The outer face of each board16 is formed into a putting surface and has di'fferent hazards around the respective ends of the hole 11, such as the broken ring-like ob-. struction 17 around the hole 11. t i

In order to change the course, the section 9 is rotated around its pivot 14 to-bring the lower face thereof into complemental relation to the member 6 and the top of the block 12. On the other end ofthe member 6 is pivoted another section 18 by means of links 13, which section 18 rests onastop'block 19 to be held in alignment with the member 6. All of the sections have a flange or rim 20 at the edges thereof, so arranged as to. pre-' vent the rolling offof the ball from the putting surfaces. Thus a continuous vari able'putting course is provided which is collapsible and foldable into a comparatively small unit as shown in Fig. 3

Instead of varying the part of the putting course by changing the hazards around the hole, the course may be varied by changing the hazards on the fairway or approach to ward the hole, as shown in Figs. 4 and5. In

this. embodiment of my invention a box-like column 21 is journaled at its opposite ends in standards 22, the latter being extended from a base 23. At one end of the box 21 and outside of the bracket 22 at that end is a tubular support 24 extended upwardly from the base 23. On the top of the support 24 is a substant ally circular disc 26 provided with a hole 27 therethrough. A portion 28 of the disc 26 is elongated and cut to fit theend of a' horizontal side 29 of the column 21. In

the present instance the column 21 has four longitudinal sides 29, each being provided with, different obstructions 31 for different hazards. The sides 29 form putting surfaces. The side 29 in the topmost position is contiguous with the portion 28 of the disc 26 so as to form a fairway or approach towardthe hole 7 27 in the disc26. The sides 29 are substan- The the different hazards. In this last described embodiment of my invention, the miniature golf course provided consists of four different putting surfaces, in a single, compact unit.

It is to be noted that a cup 32 is provided on the outside of the support 24, which is connected by a passage 33 to the hole 27. Thegolf ball is thus dropped-from the hole 27 into said cup 32, from which the player can readily remove it.

. The column has retaining flanges at the corners thereof, to prevent the rolling off of the ball from the respective putting surfaces. Butthe arrangementof the putting surfaces ina rotary unit doesnotlimitthefnumber of different courses. The numberof different courses can be further increased in the manner. illustrated inFig's. 6 and 7. In this case a polyhedron 34is rotatably mounted by way of supportinga central shaft 36 in standards 37 above a base 38. The ,ends 39 of the polyhedron 34"are rotatable on the shaft 36. Inorder to securely align the said polyhedron 34 a central bearing 41 ofthe polyhedron is disposed on the shaft 36. The

sides 42 of the polyhedron 34 are formedinto puttingsurfaces and have various hazards '43 thereon. In this illustration, the polythe frame44 rotatably supports the said i,

frame-44 on the portion of the first bearing sleeve 41- that extends beyond the polyhedron end 39. On the frame i4 are, secured four substantially circular discs '47, at right 47 abutting the adjacent end 39 is cut away at 48 to extend over the end of the respective sides 42 of the-polyhedron 34 and form the continuation thereof. The sides 42 are adapted to moveinto and out of said cut away portions 48 when the polyhedron 34 is rotated, and the cut away "portions 48 are adapted to move oversaid end of the polyhedron 34 when theframe 44 is rotated) Each disc 47 is formed into a putting surface with different hazards 49 around a hole 51 thereof. The aligning putting surfaces of the side 42 and of a disc 47 in uppermost hori zontal positions form a continuous putting course leadingto the hole 51. .There are rim flanges 52 on each edge'of the corners of the polyhedron .34, and flanges 53 around the peripheries of the discs 47 to prevent the rolling off of the golf ball from the putting surfaces. The flanges '52 and -53 ofv the aligning sides 4 2 and discs 47 complement eachother as shown. The holes 51 are connected-to each otherby chutes 54 so thatthe ball rolled into the uppermost hole 51 drops 3 hedron 34 has nine sides providing nine dif-- '95 angles to each other. .A portion of each disc 1 out through a hole 51 of a vertically positioned disc 47.

The last described embodiment of my invention permits the use of four times nine, or thirty-six different putting courses, providing therefore substantially a thirty-six hole course in a single compact unit. The alignment of each of the nine polyhedron sides 42 with one of the discs 47, provides nine new combinations of hazards. Inasmuch as all four discs 47 have different hazards, there are thirty six different combinations available for the game. Naturally the set of putting surfaces united on the polyhedron may be of any reasonable number depending on the number of sides of the polyhedron. The same increase may be suitably achieved in connection with the other set of putting surfaces on the frame 44.

The number of putting surfaces may be also increased by providing two putting surfaces on each side of the polyhedron. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. and 11, each side 56 of a polyhedron 57 has a section thereof pivoted at onto tinuation of the side of the polyhedron 5? in uppermost horizontal position. This plate 59 has a hole 61 therein toward which the ball is rolled by the player. The plate 59 is held in extended, horizontal position by a brace rod insertable at one end thereof into a hole in the adjacent bracket 58 and at the other end thereof into a hole in a block 63 on the bottom of the plate 59. The edges of the polyhedron 57 have retaining flanges l 6% thereon, with which flanges 66 of the plate 59 register when the respective sides of the polyhedron 57 are turned into operative position.

The last described arrangement provides eight putting surfaces with different hazards on a four sided polyhedron. The pivoted sides 56 are held against tilting by a bent spring 67 which has an end thereof secured in a recess 68 in the frame of the polyhedron 57 so as to be engaged by an indentation 7 O in the edge of the side 57. The resiliency of the springs 67 allows the tilting and rotation of the pivoted sides 57 if sufficient force is exerted thereon, but they hold the sides 57 against rotation at other times.

In all of the aforedescribed rotary polyhedrons, the same may be releasably held in an adjusted position by any spring catch, such as the spring catch 69 used on the last described form of my device. An end of the polyhedron 57 has indentations 71 thereon circumferentially spaced from each other and at equal radial distance, from the center of rotation of the polyhedron 57. The catch 69 isso disposed that a resiliently urged ball "2 thereof readily engages the registering indentation 71. The indentations 71 are so arranged that they register with the catch 69 at times when a side 56 of the, polyhedron 57 is in operative position relatively to the putting surface of the plate 59.

The game is played in the usual manner, by golf putters, and with golf balls. The various combinations of the putting surfaces may be consecutively numbered and are subsequently brought into operativeposition. Then a golf ball is teed off from the end of the putting surface farthest from the hole and the ball putted toward the hole through or past the various hazards.

While I have illustrated in this application several types of hazards, it is to be understood that any type of hazard may be employed on the putting surfaces. On a nonrotatable putting surfacea set of removable hazards is provided to vary the course to the hole. The putting surfaces may be built plane, or concave, or convex, or straight, or curved, and the like, to provide the variety required in the game, and by this variety, and multiple link golf course is achieved a compact unit, which may be made sufficiently small to be used indoors, as well as outdoors.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A miniature golf course comprising a plurality of putting surfaces united together, and means to rotatably support said united surfaces to permit the surfaces to be brought successively into an operative position.

2. In a. miniature golf course a variable section comprising a plurality of putting surfaces united together, and means to rotatably support said united surfaces to permit the surfaces to be brought successively into contiguous alignment with the surface of the course.

3. A section for a miniature golf course comprising a support, a rotary element on said support having a plurality of putting surfaces formed around its periphery to be moved around the axis of rotation of said body when the latter is rotated.

4. A section for a miniature golf course comprising a support, arotary element on said support having a plurality of putting surfaces formed around its periphery to be moved around the axis of rotation of said body when the latter is rotated to be selectively brought in contiguous operative relation to the surface of the course.

5. A section for a miniature golf course comprising a support, a rotary element on said support having a plurality of'putting surfaces formed around its periphery to be moved around the axis of rotation of said body when the latter is rotated to :be selectively brought in contiguous operative relation to the surface of the course; and means on the support toreleasably hold the said element in its adjusted positions.

6. A miniature golf course comprising a set of putting surfaces with various hazards thereon united into a rotating body, means to rotatably support said body, and a stationary putting surface contiguous with said body, said first mentioned surfaces being selectively movable into contiguous operative relation to said stationary surface to complement the latter.

' 7. A miniature golf course comprising a set of putting surfaces with various hazards thereon united into a rotating body, means to rotatably support said body,- and a second set ofputting surfaces united for simultaneous rotation around an axis contiguous with the axis of rotation of the first mentioned set of surfaces and being adapted to be brought selectively into complemental relation to the end of the operative surface of'the first set.

8.'A miniature golf course comprising a set of putting surfaces with various hazards thereon united into a rotating body, means to rotatably support said body. and a second set of putting surfaces unit-ed for simultaneous rotationaround an axis contiguous with the axis of rotation of the first mentioned set of surfaces and being adapted to be brought selectively into complement-a1 relation to the end of the operative surface of the first set, the said surfaces having different hazards arranged thereon to permit the combination of a plurality of different putting links.

9. A miniature golf course comprising a set of putting surfaces with various hazards thereon united into a rotating. body, means to rotatably support said body, and a second set of putting surfaces united for simultaneous rotationaround an axis contiguous with the axis of rotation of thefirst mentioned set of surfaces and being adapted to be brought selectively into complemental relation to the end of the operative surface of the first set, each putting surface of the second set having a hole therein to receive a golf ball putted in its direction.

10. A miniature golf course comprising a set of putting surfaces with various hazards thereon united into a rotating body, means to rotatably support said body, a second set of putting surfaces united for simultaneous rotation around an axis contiguous with the axis of rotation of the first mentioned set of surfaces and being adapted to be brought selectively into complemental relation to the end of the operative surface of the first set, each putting surface of the second set having a hole therein to receive a golf ball putted in its direction; and means to conduct the ball from either one of said holes to a point outsideof the second set. A

J 11. A device for a golf game comprising a frame, a support on which the frame is rotatably supported; a plurality of putting surfaces formed around the frame to be selectively brought into operative position by rotating the frame, various obstructing members forming hazards on the said surfaces; and an adjustable putting surface with a hole therein disposed at an end of the frame to complement the putting surface that is in operative position.

12. In a device for a. golf game, a skeleton fra1ne,'a support to rotatably hold the frame, a plurality of substantially longitudinal sides pivoted on. the frame around a longitudinal axis, each side having a putting surface formed on each face thereof; obslructing elements forming various hazards on the said putting surfaces; means toreleasably hold the frame on the support in adjusted position to hold a selected side in operative position; and releasablemeans of connection between each side and the frame to hold the respective putting surfaces in position, and another putting surface adjustably related to the frame to complement the selected p'utting surface in operative position.

18. In a device of the character described a support, a polyhedron rotatably supported on said support, each side of said polyhedron being formed into a putting surface, and different obstructions provided on the said surfaces.

14. In a device of the character described, a support, a polyhedron rotatably supported on said support, each side of said polyhedron being formed into a putting surface, and different obstructions provided on the said surfaces; and means to adjustably hold the polyhedron in anyposition wherein one of its sides is disposed in operative position for the putting of a ball thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Livermore, California, this 13th day of December, 1930.

- 'LOUIS WIEDEN. 

